Fire & EMS Laundries
Contaminated turnout gear exposes firefighters to potentially life-threatening chemicals, biological agents and particulate matter. To keep firefighters safe, the NFPA recommends promptly washing dirty gear in a highly programmable washer-extractor. Girbau Commercial washers deliver superior programmability to properly and gently clean turnout gear according to NFPA 1851 guidelines and manufacturer recommendations. When it comes to properly cleaning protective gear, fire departments throughout North America rely on Continental washers, ExpressDry® Gear Dryers and StationDry Cabinet Gear Dryers. We also provide:
- Laundry design & layout services
- Industry-best warranties
- Chemistry and machine programming
- Installation
- Replacement parts
- Service by factory-trained technicians
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Meeting Laundering Standards Required for Fire Departments
NFPA 1851 Gear Cleaning Guidelines
To ensure the safety of American fire fighters the NFPA recommends fire departments clean dirty gear after exposure to fire, body fluids or hazardous materials. The NFPA is also careful to avoid cross-contamination by warning against cleaning gear in homes or public laundries. For a summary of how Girbau Commercial laundry equipment is compliant with NFPA 1851 guidelines, please see our gear laundering recommendations sheet.
Commercial Gear Washers for Fire Departments
Continental West offers hard-mount and soft-mount commercial gear washers designed specifically for fire departments. Hard-mount washers require a reinforced concrete foundation, while soft-mount washers install easily without bolt-down requirements, making them ideal for truck bays, utility rooms and station storage areas. Both washer types provide advanced programmability, automatic chemical injection, and NFPA-compliant cleaning for firefighter turnout gear, EMS uniforms, station wear, towels and more.
Gear Dryers
ExpressDry Gear Dryers safely dry turnout gear, helmets, gloves, boots, face masks, and SCBA equipment using high-volume airflow technology. NFPA compliant and available in multiple sizes, these commercial PPE dryers can dry up to six turnout suits at once, reducing turnaround times from days to hours and helping keep firefighters ready for service.
Does your fire department qualify for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program?
Each year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides hundreds of millions in grants to help fire departments better protect their firefighters and the greater public. Hundreds of fire departments each year receive funding for new Continental laundry equipment, essential for decontaminating protective gear. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program assists rural, urban, and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. Funds are used by the nation’s firefighters to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, emergency medical service programs, and fire prevention and safety programs. To find out more about the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, visit www.fema.gov.
Recommended Equipment to Combat Dirty Gear
Adhere to NFPA 1851 gear cleaning guidelines. Rely on programmable Continental Gear Washers and ExpressDry® and StationDry Gear Dryers.
- Enjoy easy operation. Load, select a program number and press start.
- Return gear to service in hours, not days. Our NFPA-compliant gear dryers safely and quickly dry gear, hazmat suits, face masks, boots and gloves.
- Extend gear life. Proper cleaning and drying is essential to gear longevity.
- Space-saving and installation options to fit your facility requirements.
- Invest for the long haul. Continental gear washers and dryers are highly programmable to meet ever-changing NFPA 1851 gear cleaning guidelines.
- Purchase using Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program (AFG) funds. We’ll even help you with the grant writing process.
- Local technical support before, during and after installation backed by an industry-leading warranty.